Benjamin A. Blair

Property Tax Appeals

Ben leverages his litigation experience to help property owners reduce burdensome property taxes on their investments across the United States. As tax assessors adopt increasingly aggressive litigation strategies, Ben defends clients’ interests through comprehensive knowledge of valuation principles and a passion for understanding and explaining innovative appraisal techniques. As part of Faegre Drinker’s national property tax appeal group, Ben is on the forefront of assessment disputes involving the definition of taxable property rights, the separation of real property and business value, and value-in-use versus value-in-exchange. He also collaborates with market participants — including national developers, real estate investment trusts, property managers and appraisers — to recognize and capitalize on trends in the real estate market.

State and Local Tax Advocacy

Ben counsels clients through complex controversies involving state and local tax agencies, including advocacy from audits and administrative appeals to trial and appellate courts. He represents taxpayers in income, sales and use, unemployment and utility tax disputes, and advises clients on the state and local tax implications of corporate transactions and reorganizations.

Past Experience

While pursuing his bachelor's degree in Financial Information Systems, Ben spent two years working in finance for a Fortune 500 industrial manufacturer. During law school, Ben worked for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the state agency that administers Indiana’s unemployment tax system.

Faculty Positions

• Indiana University Maurer School of Law — Adjunct Professor, State and Local Taxation, Fall 2016, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
• Indiana University Kelley School of Business - Bloomington — Guest Lecturer, State and Local Taxation I, Spring 2017